Violence cannot deliver democracy in Egypt: IPU

Supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi help a man injured in clashes on 27 July 2013 which killed dozens of people. [Photo: Saeed Shahat/IRIN]

The future of Egypt is hanging precariously in the balance if violence and confrontation don't give way to compromise and constructive dialogue between all sides in the political divide.

This warning has come from the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) amid reports that more than 500 people were killed on Wednesday when security forces used force to clear demonstrations in Cairo.

IPU spokesperson, Jemini Pandya says her agency, which has been working with the authorities in trying to get Egypt on to a secure path to democracy, is horrified by what has happened.

"We feel that violence and confrontation has to give way to a constructive dialogue that involved all sides in the political divide in Egypt. Anything else will not work. Any isolation of a political group, any shutting of the door on any particular voice in Egypt will not pave the way for society to really learn to have to live with each other, to respect their different views and to embrace them so that they can really go ahead and fulfil the democratic aspirations that they have fought very hard for the past few years." (33")

The world organization of parliaments is strongly urging all sides in Egypt to step away from what it calls "the brink of disaster" and find a peaceful solution to the crisis.